I am the proud owner of a closet classic 2281 EB model and have been doing some research on it and thus internet led meto this forum in the past but now recently to the youtube vid and back to this thread from the original poster.

My guitar is a 78 model ( serial #) and I'll post some pics when I can... but my initial question is how to clean/properly restore thewhite material outlining the body/neck and F holes as it's yellowedfrom decades of sitting in a hard shell but fuzzy lined case.I am comfortable doing fret polish, neck cleaning/fret boardand detailing rest of the guitar but I want to be very carefulon these areas if need be as the guitar is a very pristine exampleof this tree of life model...

I really want to get this guitar in fine form/playing condition as I have owned it for 17 years and never done so much as re string it or but wipe it with a rag, plugged it in a few times to an amp andwell... NOW IS THE TIME!

I'll respond with pics and carry on unless I am told to start a new threadon this one.

They yellowing of the binding is considered desirable by many. It is an indication of the age of the instrument. If you search the internet you will find a lot of information on how to fake the yellowing but none on how to remove it. I am pretty sure that it is a non reversible chemical reaction and the only way to change it would be to re-bind the guitar (a big job). Then in several years, it too would yellow.

You really can't reverse the color. Leave it alone! Whatever you do, don't come anywhere near it with acetone or paint thinner type stuff because you can actually melt it. You could possibly try some 0000 steel wool and see if that does anything - I wouldn't count on it though. Again, you're better off enjoying the yellow/ivory it has aged to.

I thought it was something that might could be broughtback to a nice white with the right technique but I will certainlyleave it be... I figured it might be only corrected by total restorationof a guitar and finish and this one does not need that so leave itbe and love it more is fine with me!

I need to finish the fret polish/dress the neck and detail therest of her before I take some pics. I may have a pic or twoof the grungy strings and frets as it sat in the case how I first got the thing.

Besides some pitting / corrosion on some chrome or metal partsand green on the frets the body/finish is AMAZING ( besides the yellowof course)

My acquisition is only 31 away from the serial number on the onefeatured on this site!